St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-14
RoME's WICKED EMPEROR.
Mile Stones in His Career Leading to
a Terrible Death at the Dag.
gers Point.


charts, beauti-
full woman of doubtful character, who
has been slave, and who gives enter
tainments, calculated through their vol
uptuOus character, to attract the most
diSSOlute Of the Roman aristocracy and
even the emperor himself. A large
number of guests are assembled, who
praise EpichariS' house as the newly
discovered island of Cytherea, in brisk
melOdiOuS chorus. Among these guests
are VindeX, the young prince Of Aqui-
tania, the Satirical SaccuS, the minstrel
Terpander, and number of conspira-
tors, who are plotting to overthrow Nero.
The sarcastic utteranceS of Saccus and
the mysterious whisperings of the con-
spiratOrs are well cOntraSted in the
music until the opening chorus is re-
peated. Gradually the guests withdraw
to their apartments, and Vindex is left
alone. Suddenly young girl rushes in
and implores his protection. She has
been followed by crowd of
LEWD JEWELLERS,
who have thrown her companion slave
into the Tiber. She is Chrysa, a maiden
who lives alone and is visited only Oc-
caSiOnally by her devoted mother. Vim
deX, in the duet which follows. promises
her his aid. This duet is an admirably
written number, working up from
Chrysa's first pathetic accents to a
strongly emotional climax, The cries
of Chrysa's pursueTs being heard, Vim
dex hurries her off into an adjoining
chamber. Scarcely has he done this
when Nero and his associates. all
masked, rush in. They have been fol-
lowing Chry sa. Epicharis and her
guests hurry to meet the newcomers,
and VindeX steps forth from his hiding
place to defend Chrysa, with the sword,
If necessary. Nero, who is unrecOgniZed,
demands the girl, and on hearing Vim
deX's answer, tears off his mask. The
whole thrOng stands back horror
stricken. The crafty poet, Saccus, sud
denly has happy thought. and in re-
citative, which admirably suits his
words, proposes to smooth matters over
by marriage between Nero and the
fair one. Nero consents. VindeX at
first stands his ground, but Nero mOckS
the young princes faith
IN THE GIRLS VIRTUE
and wagerS that she is known to Epi-
charts. If she is not VindeX may
sheathe his sword and his girl depart in
peace. VindeX accepts the condition.
Chrysa is led out. She recognizes Epi-
charts as her mother, and the brutal
laughter of the crowd prOclaims Nero
the winner of the wager. Now follows
the mock marriage. COurtesans. acting
as bridesmaids. begin to adOrn the be-
wildered ChrySa. There are some cap
ital dances interSperSed, with a mock
ing chorus regarding ChrySa's domestic
duties. When the revelry has deyel-
oped into bacchanal VindeX, with
fierce determination, launches forth
into SardOnically jubilant song to the
protecting god of marriage. ChrySa,
who at her mothers bidding has drained
a goblet, suddenly sinks to the ground
apparently lifeless. In the midst of the
horror which this episode creates Vim
deX concludes his song with sarcastic
references to NerO's morals and, at the
kings command, is seized. The second
act opens in the apartment of POpp&a,
NERO'S MISTRESS,
who has been hoping that, III the event
of Nero's killing his wife, Octavia, he
would marry her. Popp@a is naturally
much wrought up by NerO's sudden
passion for Chrysa. Balbillus, the as
trOloger. who comes to tell her of Chry-
sa's death, finds her sitting among her
attendants, who are striving to compose
her. BalbiIlus endeavors to inspire her
with hope by telling her that Octavia
has been condemned to death. Nero is
announced and BillibuS departs. There
is lOve-sick dust between Nero and
POppRa. \ gro is met with reprOacheS
and tries to defend himself with flat
terry. Suddenly Sigellinus. Project of
the Pretorians, appears and informs
Nero that Oetavia has been disposed of.
HereupOn the hangings at the back are
drawn and Nero'S friends enter and con-
graduate him. POpp4a reproaches Nero
with his barbarity and, in order to
pacify her, he offers to share his throne
with her. But Chrysa is not dead.
Agrippina, Nero's mother, has found
her and
KEEPS HER A PRISONER
in the hopes that she may, in this way,
regain the affections of her son. Just
at this point she sends Terpander to
POppaa with a bracelet as a git, which
contains a portrait of Chrysa. After
Poppaea has clasped it around her
wrist Nero entertainS the company with
a ballad, in which he narrates the woes
of Iphigeuia. His song is interrupted
by the passing of several persons, whom
he has condemned to death, on their
way to execution. Among them is Vim
deX. who is, however. spared at the re-
quest of Popp@a, who desires to learn
more concerning ChrySa from him. At
this point Epicharis rushes upon the
scene and imDlores Nero. who, she
thinks, has stolen Chrysa, to restore
her daughter to her. At this point
there is an octette with chorus which is
one of the most important musical num-
bers of the score, as it portrayS Popp9a's
dread of NerO's infatuatiOn for ChrySa,
Fero'S wrath that he has been tricked,
EpichariS' anguish and VindeX'S firm
ness. EpichariS is condemned to death.
Popp8a, in pleading for her, seiZes
Nero's arm. He sees the bracelet with
Chrysa's portrait. G. Cd
INFLAMED WITH PASSION
he rushes to the temple of Evander to
meet Agrippina there and discover if
she has ChrySa with her. The second
scene takes place in front of the temple.
There all sorts of people are assembled.
NerO's approach is accompanied by a
march.
Then comes the great triumphal pro-
cession in honor of Nero, The scene is
a public square in Rome, filled with
crowds of people waiting the arrival of
the procession. They are amused by
the antics of band of jugglers, with
players on various instruments. The
interval is filled up by charming ballet.
Then music is heard in the distance.
Nero is approaching, and the movement
and excitement among the crowd are
capitally represented. They rush hither
and thither, from one side of the stage
to the other, striving to get a place of
advantage. The procession is gOr-
geous affair and includes lictors. sol
dierS, centuriOnS, pretOrianS, priests,
vestals, consuls, tribunes, patricians,
Augustans, prisoners, princes, warriors
women and children.
ALL IN FETTERS,
with figures recalling the celebrated
Makart picture of the triumph of Seer
manicus." The come the cages of wild
beasts and the treasures carried and
drawn in cars by black slaves. The ex-
element among the crowd grows con-
stantly, and reaches its height when the
coming of Nero is heralded. He enters